Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-05
UNSAFE BOILERS.
The following communication from
an expert touches a subject very near
to some people in Richmond
grfctv ~ naxtecr

The following communication from
an expert touches a subject veyy near
to some people in Richmond
Safety ~. Danger.
RIcumoND, VA, June 3, 1887.
! 10 the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Dear Sir,-I am pleased to note that
,be press generally throughout the
country is taking up and Advocating
the necessity of strong legislative ac.
ton in the matter OF stationary steam
| loiieis. This building aud using OF
boilers constructed Of inferior material
and inferior workmanship is getting TO
lee very serious matter. Experience
teaches that nothing but the very best
material obtainable ought to be used in
| the IncLufacturc OF a steam-boiler; but
how often is this the case? Very few
purchasers or users of steam-boilers
know any thing about the various quail
| tics of iron or steel or their adApta-
| ldli;v for Use in the construction OF
| hoiieIs. II is very true that most of
| The plates ure branded with the tensile
stIcrcth end the name of the maker,
and when this material is bought from
a reputable manufacturer no better
guarantee is needed. But how often
DO dishonest er-manufacturers-
md their name is ieQiOn--use
stock of an inferior quality and
stamp it as of the the very best, and,
oltener still, use stock on which even
they dare not put stamp? Suppose
case, which unfortunately is quite com
mon: A specification for boiler is
sent out to several boiler makers II no
doubt will call for material OF a certain
thickness. tensile strength and ductility,
| 10 have the name of the maker dis
| tinctly stamped on the sheets, the
heads to be properly stayed and braced,
&c. One boilermaker will be per
foctly honest in his quotations, and will
bid, say, 5000 on this boiler, according
TO his understanding of the speciica-
ton. and when the boiler is built a
better one could not be produced. On
the other hand, another boiler-m maker
shall we call him dishonest, or is it
brought about by sharp competition?-
makes Il bib of 500. He gets the order
and builds the boiler, entirely eyading
The spirit of the specifications, and
building q boiler that, instead of bear
ing the usual stamp of good
boiler, is stamped fraud, " fraud, "
"iraud," under every hammer
mark, and on every riyet. What is the
result? Why some day or other, appa-
rently without rhyme or reason, up goes
the boiler. dealing death and destruction
all around THIS is no strained or
highly-colored picture, but it is posi-
tive fact. Thousands of boilers are
being sold in this country that are no.
thing but death-traps, and to such an
extent has his business been carried
that many reputable boiler-bulder
has seriously considered the advisable
ty OF giving up his business and going
into some thing more profitable sooner
| than try to meet the ruinous COMPETE
| ton of these fraudulent builders. |
have in my mind a case in point where
two firms of boiler-buildcrs of this city,
10th building first class, honest boilers,
cane IL competition with one OF these
nrC.rnsible and fraudulent builders.
lhc difference in prices quoted between
the two city firms was on few dol
lars. whilst the outside party offered
toA,r 20 the same specifications at
80 less money than either Of the city
fins. The whole sum involved WAS
only about 5o0J, and the difference be-
tv, On the two prices was far in advance
OF any profit a good bOiler-maker
wOuld ever dTeam Of making, showing
that inferior material and inferior
workmanship would have to be used
to oct ont a boiler at the price
named, even to make s. profit on
the Transaction. In fact, tine amount
asked by this dishonest boiler-builder
would not begin to pay for the mate
rial and labor put in the boiler by our
two city firms. | do not wish you to
infer from this that there are no good
builders outside the city Of Rich
mond-thcrc are numbers of them-but
/ wish to bring this matter home to the
people Of this city and this State. Is
1t not time. then, that we have Govern
rent inspection for our stationary boil
ers rs we have at present for marine
boilers? Ought We not to have in
spcctors APPOINTED who would carefully
and IiQiGiy Inspect stationary boilers
and who world refuse license to any
boiler that was found built of inferior
material, or built in an unsafe manner,
for the workmanship is oltener than
not on "A par with the material? 1t
ought TO bcmadc a criminal offence for
any body to either build or use a steam
boiler that is dangerous to both life
and property. If we had such inspec-
tiCn these dishonest boiler-bui!ders
would soon be either driven out
of business or else be compelled
to build good and safe boilers.
! his letter has been suggested
Ly tie many at present appearing
throu- hout the country. | hope snch
an outcry Will be raised in the matter
| that the Cow rnment will be compelled
TO come to the rescue OF the people.
1t is true We have boiler insurance com
panics who in a measure fill the gap,
Int " hat we want is compulsory inspec-
ton. If these words reach those who,
buying boilers, unknowingly fall into
| the hands Of these death-dealing boiler
builders by the temptation of the low
plice named, / shall have gained a
poiLt Although connected VITA large
firm cf boiler-manufacturers, l have
20 special axe to grind or any selfish
interest to serve, for am sure that ali
honest boilcr-makers throughout the
country will bear me ont i'll my state
monts. Apolcsizing for troubling you
with such IA long epistle, but trusting
that the gravity OF the subject may be
my excuse, am yours respectfully,
WILLIAM SUIPKIN,
Nrmbcr American Society Mechanical
Engineers.
| TIE Great Lakes and Their Outlets.
The Hartford Tlmesl
It has long been known that the
Great Lakes are subject to remarkable
and seemingly capricious changes OF
level. These changes are roughly reg
istcred in the varying volume OF the
ST. Lawrence, that remarkable river,
itself the outlet of these great lakes,
and in a sense continuation and part